Buffer-platform for cars



(No Mddel.)

' T. L. MOKF-EN.

BUFFER PLATFORM FOR CARS.

Patented Jan. 26, 1897i WITNESSES. M X

INVENTOR A TTOHNE).

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

THOMAS L. MCKEEN, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO THE TROJAN OAR COUPLER COMPANY, OF TROY, NEW YORK.

BUFFER-PLATFORM FOR CARS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 575,971, dated January 26, 1897.

Application filed November 24, 1896. Serial Nox 613,288. (No model.)

To aZZ whom, it may concern:

Be itknown that I, THOMAS L. MCKEEN, a citizen of the United States, residing at New York, in the county of New York and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Buffer-Platforms for Cars; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in bufier-platforms for cars, and particularly to'that class shown and described in a joint application for Letters Patent filed by Alfred H. Renshaw and myself September 10, 1896, Serial No. 605,403.

My present invention has for its objects to provide righting-springs which shall assist in restoring the buffer-platform to its normal position and at the same time perform the function of an equalizer, and-with these ends in view my invention consists in providing brackets for the side buffer-stems, which shall 2 5 be limited in their rearward movement to constitute stops or abutments for the springs surrounding the stems, and having at the same time a capacity to move forward against springs which operate to restore the brackets 0 to their normal position and with them the side stems and buffer-platform, all as will be hereinafter more fully described.

In order that those skilled in the art may fully understand my invention, I will pro- 5 ceed to describe the same, referring by letters to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 represents a plan View, partly in section, of a buffer-platform and connections embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a plan 0 view of a modification of the spring-actuating devices for restoring the brackets to their normal positions, and Fig. 3 is a similar view of another modification.

' Similar letters ofreference denote like parts 5 in the several figures of the drawings.

A represents the ordinary central longitudinal sills of the body or frame of a railroadcar as usually constructed, between which is located the central buffer-platform stem 13.

The head or transverse beam, which constitutes the support for the ordinary stationary platform, is shown at O; and D is the ordinary platform, projecting from and sliding within which is the auxiliary or buffer platat ,b to a suitable lug a, secured to and projeoting from the car-frame. a are each formed wit-ha head d, bearing against the lug-plate, as shown, and constitute a stop to limit the rearward movement of the bracket, and with a toe 6, bearing against a fiat spring f, interposed between the toe e and the lug-plate. The buffer-stems F, after passing through suitable orifices in the brackets a, are secured in place by collars F and pins G or in any other desired manner.

From the construction shown it will be seen that when either end of the buffer-platform is forced backward in the act of coupling or as a result of the cars traversing a curve the collars G and shoulders H bear against and compress the coil-springs J K, the brackets a being held rigid by the contact of its heel d withthe lug-plate. The stem on the opposite side is correspondingly pulled forward by the hold it Within the bracket to the free end of the latter is pulled forward and, swinging on its pivot b, the toe e compresses the fiat spring f, and consequently when the conditions permit the platform E to resume its normal relation to the stationary platform D the coilsprings J K on one side and the flat spring f on the other side cooperate in their reacting power to bring the buffer-platform to its normal position.

In Figs. 2 and 3 I have shown modifications as to the character and location of the springs employed to restore the brackets to their nor- I00 These brackets platform E, and as the collar F and pin G v mal positions and at the same time the side stems and buffer-platform.

At Fig. 2, as will be seen, the plate which secures the lug c to the car-sill is provided with a stem g, adapted to center and support one end of a coil-spring h, used in lieu of the flat springf shown at Fig. 1, and the toe e of the bracket is formed with a pocket '0' for the opposite end of the spring 71, and it will be seen that as the toe e approaches the lug-plate the coil-spring will of necessity be compressed and by its reaction the bracket will be forced back to its normal position in substantially the manner already described as to the flat spring At Fig. 3 I have shown the bracket substantially like that shown at Fig. 1, but with an eye or hook j at its free end, between which and any suitable cross beam or bar 70 is arranged an extension coil-spring Z, which upon contraction will restore the several parts to their normal positions.

ing yoke or bar between the rear ends of the side buffer-stems.

From the construction shown it is obvious that the repair and substitution of parts may be readily made and that the structure as a whole is economic of construction and effective in operation.

Having described the construction, opera tion, and advantages of my improvement, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In combination with the stationary platform, auxiliary buffer-platform and side buffer-stems pivoted to the buffer-platform as described, the equalizing-brackets Ct formed with heel d and pivoted to lugs c, and the equalizing-springs for restoring the brackets to their normal positions, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

2. I11 combination with the stationary platform,auXiliary platform and side buffer-stems pivoted to the buffenplatform as described, the equalizer-brackets CL formed with heel d, toe e and pocket 1', and pivoted to the lugs c, and the coil-springs h interposedbetween the toe c and lug-plate, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

THOMAS L. MCKEEN.

Witnesses:

N. CURTIS LAMMOND, HARRY L. MARSH. 

